Hi guys! So recently I found out I am going to community college in California. My plan is to transfer to a UC for CS and my dream is to make it into UCB EECS. I’m a senior in high school and I’m going nuts thinking about my future. Any tips on how to be successful in community college? Tips on how to handle STEM classes like cs, physics, and math? What extracurriculars to do(Should I do sports)? Thank you!
I’ve done pretty well in community college, 4.0 GPA here with a STEM major. I’ll give you some advice:
- Be motivated, and be interested in what you're learning. If you're not motivated to study, you'll half-ass it and end up doing worse than you should.
- Try not to work too much. It's a tough one, but working really only serves as a distraction from school. It clouds your mind and adds another stressor to your life. Money seems nice, but think about the bigger picture, the better you do in school now, the better your financial prospects for the future.
- Balance yourself, studying is great. But, be sure to have fun and do things you want to do. Party, travel, relax. Find the perfect balance between everything.
- I wasn't able to do many ECs because of family obligations, but I would say pick up an intermural and join a STEM club. Maybe do volunteer work outside your EC. I'm not sure how Berkley works, but many schools don't really emphasize transfer students ECs as much as they do grades.
- Don't be afraid to talk to your professors! They often have great insight and amazing advice.
You seem to have the drive to succeed, so I like your chances of doing well. Good luck! Keep that drive.
Thank you!
I’ve got a 3.94, just got into UCSB for EE, and am waiting to hear back from UCB about EECS next month. I agree with Anco17 for the most part but have a few things to add.
- Do not do a lot of ECs. They will distract you from your coursework which is what the UCs care most about. If anything I'd say limit yourself to one or two ECs that do not take much time and are things that you genuinely enjoy for stress relief.
- It's OK to take three years to transfer. If you really want to get into a good UC, you'll need the best GPA you can get in your STEM classes. It's fine to take fewer classes if it means a higher GPA.
- Use RateMyProfessor religiously. Classes feel significantly more meaningful if you can take them from reasonable and engaging professors.
- Use ASSIST religiously. Do not take classes that you don't need to.
- Utilize the library. It is an amazing place to get serious studying done.
- Study as much as you need to to master the course material. Don't just set aside X amount of time to study something. Study it until you've mastered it, however long it takes.
- Take care of your physical health. Eat well, sleep enough, exercise.
Thank you! Congrats on getting into UCSB! Good luck on UCB! @cheesepuffs101
What do you think about participating in a sport in cc? Will it take too much time? @cheesepuffs101
In order to become successful at CC, use ratemyprofessor.com a lot. You’ll want to avoid professors that are literally an automated response system. This is a weird tip, but hey, people do use it.
Here is a post that I’ve made about transferring to UC Berkeley:
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/2029576-cal-transfer-student-here-ama.html#latest
If you are heading to CC, go to your destined CC right now and take placement exam if they require it. Knock those pre-reqs out by enrolling in this summer. Stuffs like Algebra or Trig. I had to work all the way from Algebra lolol
If you are sharp on Trig from High school and if your CC lets you skip over Trig/Pre-calc then:
This summer, I highly recommend that you take a “boot camp” physics course !!
It’s usually in the form of “introductory physics” or “fundamentals of physics”
This course will become a stepping stone to the Physics with Calculus or Physics for Engineers - which will transfer to UC Berkeley for sure. UC Berkeley and UCLA only accepts Physics with Calculus or Physics for Engineers.
If you want to be an engineer, you have to be VERY strong at Physics. Because I honestly think that Physics was way harder than Calculus or any chemistry courses I’ve taken.
Physics will teach you the ways of how to approach problems. So not only getting an A is essential, but Physics will give you an edge to become successful in other courses… i.e. study habits, how to solve questions, etc. This is why I want you to head-butt Physics first. Do you see my point? 
For an EC, just work or do some volunteering at a local place. Perhaps try to find a CS related since that might interest you? I did volunteering that interest me, not usually what is impressive.
@Sillmatic , are you a California resident?
If you are an OOS student, it will be expensive at the UCs.
Yeah I am
I placed in Trig!! Then I took the placement exam a second time and got calculus 1! I had accidentally put that my last math course was intermediate algebra. Oh man I agree about Physics. I took AP Physics 1 this year and barley managed a B first semester. It is a struggle. Thank you for the advice @spookybear
Any tips on being good in physics? @spookybear
In regards to sports: I did varsity track for one semester of high school and it zapped almost all of my energy. It felt like I was either running, or exhausted from running. My grades absolutely tanked. So for me, doing a sport in college, where the intensity cranks up tenfold, would be out of the question.
There are people though who somehow manage to juggle a sport, a part time job, and a full load of STEM classes while getting all A’s. I wouldn’t count on being one of those rare students, especially not with your GPA on the line.
Regarding Physics: get a copy of Serway’s Physics for Scientists and Engineers. Take fastidious notes, do every third or fourth problem in each chapter. Look at the solutions manual if you need to. Make sure you really understand how to do each problem. If even after looking at the solutions manual you still don’t understand, ask your friends, and then ask the professor during office hours.
When you’re reviewing before an exam, redo the problems that you’ve done. Make sure you still know how to do them. Don’t look at the work you’ve already done. Completely redo each problem.
Thank you @cheesepuffs101
I still have two more semesters to be done, but I have a 4.0 gpa so far. I agree with the people above. Just try not to work too much (don’t work if you can), and be motivated. I am trying hard, because UCLA has been my dream school since I was a high schooler, and I imagine how it will be fun if I move to LA. Your strong passion and motivation would make you successful at a CC. Oh, also don’t be lazy, you CAN’T cram for math, physics, and programming. You should always stick in a library.